Robb Swayed By Tower's Alcohol Use

Virginia Sen. Charles S. Robb said he would vote against John Tower's nomination for secretary of defense because of the candidate's "excessive use of alcohol" and contacts with defense contractors.

In making his announcement, Robb said "this is not just any cabinet position." He said "the ability to make decisions putting the lives of our men and women in uniform at stake, and in the case of nuclear weapons putting the fate of the earth at stake, in my opinion, demand a higher standard."

Robb, one of the last senators to announce his decision on Tower, said "there is ample evidence of excessive use of alcohol on his part. Not dependency, which I believe would be immediately disqualifying, but excessive use.

"Senator Tower has pledged to refrain from alcohol consumption during his tenure. It troubles me to have a man nominated for the office of secretary of defense feel compelled to take such a pledge."

Robb also said that Tower's professional and personal contacts with certain defense contractors after leaving the Senate create a potential conflict of interest that "will continue to dog him if he is confirmed. . .and would unnecessarily hamper a secretary of defense whose hands-on leadership is absolutely essential."

Tower has said he is being held to a new standard by critics. After leaving the Senate and a later job as chief U.S. arms negotiator in Geneva in 1986, Tower received more than $700,000 in consulting fees from defense contractors.

Robb is one of several Democratic senators that President Bush had tried to persuade to vote for Tower. Bush needed the votes of at least six of the Senate's 55 Democrats to win a Senate vote scheduled for today.

Despite his decision, Robb said he regretted the attacks on Tower's character for the past several weeks, calling them fundamentally unfair. In addition to the charges of alcohol abuse and close ties to contractors, Tower's relations with women and his two failed marriages became part of the confirmation debate.

"As someone with a special understanding of how rumor and untruth can take on a life of their own, I regret the pain that Senator Tower and his family has been caused."

Robb apparently was referring to his campaign for the Senate last year, in which he was dogged by accusations that he attended parties in Virginia Beach where cocaine was used. Robb has denied he knew of any cocaine use at any function he attended.

As well as his personal concerns about Tower, Robb said he had a dilemma: go along with the wishes of President Bush or follow the lead of Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn, chairman of the armed services committee, who has led the fight against confirmation.

In the end, Robb sided with Nunn, a political ally and friend.

Robb said "when I am presented with a choice between the substantial deference that I believe is owed a president and a firmly held conviction on the part of the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, I must cast my vote with my long-time friend and now colleague, the chairman."